Star Wars fans would be wise to put on hold any planned trips to Tunisia. Tataouine, the namesake for Luke Skywalker's home planet of Tatooine, has been taken over by ISIS. The city itself wasn't used for filming, but sites nearby were used for the slave quarters in Episode I.
The United States Embassy has warned against travel in the area because Tataouine has become a way-station for terrorists trying to enter Libya and join ISIS. This month rocket-propelled grenade launchers and 20,000 rounds of ammunition were found in an arms cache in the area, CNN reports. The British government has also discouraged travel in a larger area that includes the exterior of Skywalker's childhood home, Lars Family Homestead.
These sites are often visited as part of a Star Wars pilgrimage to Tunisia.
Update 3/27/15 (5:42 p.m.): Tunisian officials have spoken out to say the area is no longer in danger and that it is being patrolled by 1,500 troops.
[via Huff Post]
